Enlightened Society Assembly

Ashe Acharya John Rockwell and Acharya Melissa Moore

July 26–August 10, 2014

Tuition $ 420 + 15 nights

Ashe Acharya John Rockwell

Acharya Melissa Moore

Enlightened Society Assembly is a Shambhala program that emphasizes the view of the intrinsic goodness of all beings and society, practices that rouse bodhichitta and compassionate openness, and confident activity that engages fully in the world. In particular, living up to its name, this Assembly will focus on how we can create enlightened society on the spot, at home, in our city and nation, and wherever we go.

This program works to integrate study, practice and community with an aim to understanding the basic goodness of oneself, others, society and the phenomenal world. Under the guidance of an Acharya and another senior teacher, Enlightened Society Assembly will provide an opportunity for you to fully engage and integrate these teachings and practices while living in a Shambhala practice environment.

Preparation and Prerequisites: Students applying to the Enlightened Society Assembly should have completed the following before the program (please note that these are new requirements) :

Please read the following paragraphs as they contain updated and important information.

Attending Enlightened Society Assembly is a two-part process that includes first applying to the program with the Shambhala International Office of Practice and Education based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and then registering with Shambhala Mountain Center.

In order to attend Enlightened Society Assembly, you must submit an online application and be accepted by the Office of Practice and Education, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The application is reviewed by the Office of Practice and Education, in order to ensure that each participant is adequately prepared.

NOTE: As of May 14th, registration with Shambhala Mountain Center is only open to those who have submitted and application and recieved an official acceptance letter from the Shambhala International Office of Practice and Education. If you have begun an application and need to complete and submit it, please follow the link below. No NEW applications are currently being accepted.

Registering with Shambhala Mountain Center allows you to pay for the program and requested housing. Registering for lodge housing submits your housing preference, but does not guarantee it. Importantly, registration with Shambhala Mountain Center alone does not guarantee your attendance at Enlightened Society Assembly.

Please do not make airplane reservations until you have received your full acceptance from the Office of Practice and Education.

Once you have submitted an application, the acceptance letter from the Office of Practice and Education will contain a link to register with Shambhala Mountain Center. The registration deadline for ESA is June 15th, 2014. Participants registering after this date will incur an additional fee.

Ashe Acharya John Rockwell first met Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche in 1975 and entered the Buddhist and the Shambhala path. Over the many years of his journey, he taught Buddhist Studies at Naropa University, was co-director of Karme Choling, and was Director of Shambhala International. In 1996, he was named an acharya (senior teacher) by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, and in 2001 was appointed the Ashe Acharya, in charge of the Shambhala Office of Practice and Education. For seven years he was resident acharya at Karme Choling in Vermont. During this time, he studied Taoist qigong with Eva Wong who authorized him to teach. Due to a long-time passion for the forest and nature, he is engaged in a naturalist training course with the Wilderness Awareness School. He now lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia with his wife and travels internationally to teach.

Melissa Moore, PhD., has been a Shambhalian since 1979. She received her Master’s degree from Naropa and a PhD in Psychological Anthropology from California Institute of Integral Studies. She became an Acharya in 2012. Melissa was co- founding Director of The Karuna Training, a professional training in Contemplative Psychology offered throughout Europe and currently starting up in Northern California. Melissa is currently a Senior Executive of Family Service Agency (FSA) San Francisco and the founding Director of The Felton Institute since 2005.

Program Details

Registration takes place from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. on your program start date. All participants and volunteer staff must check in at our Guest Registration house. Please arrive before 4:00 p.m. to check in and settle into your accommodations. Departure is after breakfast on August 10.